Charles Hustito — Zuni Silversmith
Zuni · documented in the T.Skies hallmark reference library
Charles Hustito is a Zuni silversmith active since the 1960s, working in mosaic and channel inlay. He is the son of Alonzo Hustito.
The Hougart record documents additional Hustito family members: Rosalie K. Hustito (Zuni), active since the 1980s in channel and mosaic inlay; and Sharon Hustito (born 1956; Zuni), active in petit point and needlepoint with mark S H. Precise relationships of Rosalie and Sharon to Charles are not specified in the available Hougart text.
Mosaic inlay sets precisely cut stones flush against each other in dense patterns, creating a richly colored surface with minimal silver visible. The Zuni tradition in both mosaic and channel inlay is among the most refined in the Southwest.
The Mark
A distinctive pictorial stamp: the initials CH set inside a partial sun design, with rain elements below — a ceremonially resonant image in Zuni iconography.
References
- Hougart, Bille. Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th ed. Washington, DC: BilleHougartBooks, 2022.
- Schaaf, Gregory, with Angie Yan Schaaf. American Indian Jewelry I: 1,200 Artist Biographies, ca. 1800-present. American Indian Art Series, Vol. 5. Santa Fe: CIAC Press, 2003. Cited by printed page. Statements describe conditions as of 2003.
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From the Library: Schaaf, American Indian Jewelry I (2003)
2003 primary source. Anything described as current here describes 2003, not today.
Schaaf (2003, p. 186) recorded Charles Hustito as a Zuni mosaic inlay jeweler and fetish carver active from the 1960s, born in the 1940s, a son of Alonzo and Helen Hustito and brother of Linda Hustito Wheeler, showing at the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos show from 1996. [1]
Charles Hustito told Schaaf (2003):
“I appreciate the fact that people are taking pride in their work”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 186 [1]
Schaaf's 2003 hallmark index gives CH to four makers:
“CH (Cornelia Hinton, Cleve Honyaktewa, Cody Hunter, Charles Hustito)”
— Schaaf (2003), p. 168 [1]
This profile is maintained in support of Native American silversmiths and compiled from published references. See something inaccurate, or want to add to it? Contact us.
Name card shown; hallmark photo to come.